The Trance of Seven Colors

https://amf.didiermary.fr/trance-seven-colors/

Maleem Mahmoud Ghania with Pharoah Sanders

Miriam Makeba – Brand New Day

https://amf.didiermary.fr/miriam-makeba-brand-new-day/

The song “Brand New Day” is part of the “Keep me in Mind” album, recorded in 1970. At that time, Miriam Makeba was in Guinea-Conakry, after an invite from President Ahmed Sékou Touré, following major changes in both her own personal life and politically within the USA.

Producer Lewis Merenstein suggested two Van Morrison songs […]

Abranis – Chenar le blues

https://amf.didiermary.fr/abranis-chenar-le-blues/

Chenar Le Blues released in 1977 have been a big hit on Algerian national radio. This album marked the band response to the Doors.

Pioneering group of Algerian music, which was the first to fuse Berber and Western sounds, using Rock, Folk or Funk to celebrate its Kabyle heritage. The starting point of this adventure, […]

Toure Kunda – Labrador

https://amf.didiermary.fr/toure-kunda-labrador/

Labrador, title track from Toure Kunda‘s album Amadou-Tilo in 1983. It’s a cover of the track that appeared on their first album and as a single.

Amadou-Tilo is dedicated to Amadou Toure, brother of Ismaila and Sixu-Tidiane and former member of the band who tragically died on-stage in 1983. […]

RIP Nana Ampadu

https://amf.didiermary.fr/rip-nana-ampadu/

Renowned Ghanaian highlife musician, Nana Ampadu (Nana Kwame Ampadu), died on September 28, 2021.

In this interview from 2007, historian Jennifer Hart talks with him about the music that made him famous: God was everywhere in the street.

A quick selection of Brenda Fassie songs.

https://amf.didiermary.fr/brenda-fassie-songs/

In 1983, Brenda Fassie formed “Brenda and the Big Dudes” (with Blondie and Pappa Makhene), and that same year she had a breakthrough hit with “Weekend Special,” singing in the disco-flavored “bubblegum” [...]

Orchestre de l’Université d’Abidjan (OUA) – Pétrole mouillé

https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-universite-abidjan-oua-petrole-mouille/

Créé dans les années 70-80 en Côte d’Ivoire, pour faire de la musique un élément d’épanouissement intellectuel et artistique des étudiants ainsi qu’un excellent instrument de pacification et d’éveil des consciences, voici l’Orchestre de l’Université d’Abidjan (OUA), groupe mythique [...]

From Nubia to Cairo – Ali Hassan Kuban

https://amf.didiermary.fr/nubia-cairo-ali-hassan-kuban/

Ali Hassan Kuban is considered The Godfather of Nubian Soul. “From Nubia to Cairo” was first released in the 80s, and revisited in 2018 as “the first milestone in urban Nubian Pop”.

From a self-taught musician exploring his Nubian people’s musical roots to a professional, successfully leading his various bands into new, vibrant, international pop […]

Etoile de Dakar – Thiapathioly

https://amf.didiermary.fr/etoile-de-dakar-thiapathioly/

Etoile de Dakar Feat. Youssou N’Dour & El Hadji Faye
Etoile de Dakar – Vol. 2

Jo Tongo – Jangolo

https://amf.didiermary.fr/jo-tongo-jangolo/

Our hero, Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was raised in Douala, Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies.

Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In 1977, he produced and recorded his debut self titled […]

Brenda Fassie – Black President

https://amf.didiermary.fr/brenda-fassie-black-president/

Black President is a song by South African singer Brenda Fassie, the 6th track on her 6th eponym studio album in 1990. It was written by Sello “Chicco” Twala, Brenda Fassie, produced by Twala and released on February 8, 1990. The song was written about Nelson Mandela, who was arrested by the South African apartheid […]

The Magnificent Zeinians – Ngozi Chukwu Ka

https://amf.didiermary.fr/magnificent-zeinians-ngozi-chukwu-ka/

The Magnificent Zeinians was the first group led by Nigerian showbiz legend Tony Grey… The group’s name comes from the club at which they were resident, Zeina Nite Club in Warri.

Tony Grey ‎– Come Back

https://amf.didiermary.fr/tony-grey-come-back/

Nigerian showbiz legend Tony Grey led a band called “The Magnificent Zeinians“. Here he’s with Super7 in 1975.

The Good Samaritans – Onughara

https://amf.didiermary.fr/the-good-samaritans-onughara/

Benin City in Nigeria. Edo-Funk. The Good Samaritans, led by Philosopher Okundaye, who composed many of the famous 80s tracks, between Funk and Highlife.

“No Food Without Taste If By Hunger” by “The Good Samaritans” is one of the most obscure Nigerian album ever recorded. Originally released in 1982, the band’s first album is full […]

Nguenang – Wouck

https://amf.didiermary.fr/nguenang-wouck/

Cameroonian singer, arranger and composer N’guenang Myke Maurice aka Nguenang recorded his album Doty Gouock in 1980 in Abidjan.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Yinhle Lentombi

https://amf.didiermary.fr/ladysmith-black-mambazo-yinhle-lentombi/

Yinhle Lentombi translates to “This Lady Is Beautiful” and comes from their 6th studio album Shintsha Sithothobala which was released in 1975. […]

Oliver Mtukudzi – Shanje

https://amf.didiermary.fr/shanje-oliver-mtukudzi/

This post originally proposed a few versions of the song “Shanje”, meaning “Jealousy” if I’m not 100% wrong, but the video disappeared. So went back to Mtukudzi‘s version, from the eponym album in 1981.

There was a version of Shanje by Thomas Mapfumo, the Lion of Zimbabwe, but can’t find it anymore… […]

Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Iya Me Dji Kibi Ni

https://amf.didiermary.fr/poly-rythmo-cotonou-iya-me-dji-kibi-ni/

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou is arguably West Africa’s best-kept secret. Their output, both in quantity and quality, was astonishing.

During several trips to Benin Analog Africa managed to collect roughly 500 songs which Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou had recorded between 1970 and 1983. The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese [...]

Tchico Tchicaya – The Golden Voice

https://amf.didiermary.fr/tchico-tchicaya-golden-voice/

“The Golden Voice of Africa” is the nickname of Denis Pambou Tchicaya (aka Tchico Tchicaya), Congolese songwriter, guitar player and arranger, born near Pointe-Noire.

Between 1972 and 1976, he’s part of Les Bantous de la capitale, one of the main orchestras during this period, where he’s one of the solo singers.
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